Classic Disney movie The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell comes alive in new play
JAIME Hadwen is ringing in a new era of a classic Disney character as a roller-skating Tinker Bell who not only finds her voice but is prone to break out in song in the new Bonnie Lythgoe pantomime The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.
Since the release of the original Peter Pan in 1953, Tinker Bell has traditionally been known as a silent character but Hadwen (Xanadu the Musical, Bring It On: The Musical) says in this new production the feisty fairy learns to roar.
“In the traditional Disney depictions of Tinker Bell she does not talk,” Hadwen says.
“She communicates through the ringing of her bells, her facial expressions and physicality. So what is really magical about this pantomime is that we give Tinker Bell a voice.
“We get to hear her speak and I think this is especially significant in her relationship with Hook (Todd McKenney). It is an interesting relationship, she is a little bit gullible at times.”
The storyline is based on Disney’s classic Peter Pan film where Tinker Bell is the overly protective best friend of a free-spirited young boy who never grows up and the two characters, created by Scottish novelist and playwright J M Barrie, embark on an amazing adventure on the mythical island of Neverland.
Transforming into the character of Tinker Bell is also a quite magical experience, according to Hadwen, who is again donning a pair of skates – she also wore skates for her role as Kira, originally played by Olivia Newtown John, in Xanadu The Musical that toured Australia last year.
“Tinker Bell wears a cute little costume with bells all around the bottom of the skirt so I am always tinkering or ringing which is really sweet,” she says.
“I do have wings and the Disney character does fly but have a special element in the show we are introducing which is skating.”
Skating gives seemless Hadwen seamless movement across the Neverland stage, almost like she is flying.
Hadwen teamed up with Hi5 favourite Tim Maddren for Lythgoe’s production of Cinderella last year and the two are back headlining Lythgoe’s latest pantomime with McKenney, who is best known as a judge on Dancing with the Stars and playing Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz.
Lythgoe has staged productions of Pan in the UK and US but this time it is McKenney’s turn to take on the role of the pirate captain that has been tackled by the likes of David Hasselhoff and Henry Winkler.
All the sets and costuming will be sourced from the UK and Hadwen says along with the glittering costumes and sets we can expect a modern twist with chart-topping pop tunes.
THE DETAILS
The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell
State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
July 7-16
Ticketmaster.com.au or call 1300 139 588